Nothing is faster than the Specialized Tarmac SL8 S-Works Red eTap AXS 25 bicycle presented by Escapa, thanks to a combination of aerodynamics, lightness, and ride quality that was previously thought impossible. After eight generations and more than two decades of development, it is more than just the fastest Tarmac ever: it is the fastest race bike in the world. Now it is paired with the SRAM RED AXS groupset with power meter, the lightest electronic groupset ever, and a set of Roval Terra CLX II Tubeless wheels for an even faster combination.
AERO IN EVERYTHING: We're investing in aerodynamics where it's needed most, at the leading edge, not just where it looks good. In the process, we've created our most aerodynamic road bike ever. Yes, it's more aerodynamic than the Venge. Clean air is optimized for maximum advantage with the Tarmac's new front cone: the Speed Sniffer. By moving the head tube back—the tube that determines the width of the head tube—the leading edge of the head tube can be much sharper, offering a much lower drag shape. Taking advantage of the new UCI rules, the Tarmac SL8 has the narrowest, most aerodynamic seatpost we've ever made, ensuring that the dirty air flowing quickly around your legs can flow cleanly to the rear.
MINIMUM WEIGHT, MAXIMUM AERODYNAMICS: The Tarmac SL8 drew on the experience of the Aethos to be easily built to the UCI minimum and a full aero configuration. The team created an amazing 685-gram frame, 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and any other World Tour bike. With the ability to make lightness a top priority in the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike, lessons from Aethos were applied. The frame shape carries the load so efficiently that additional layers of carbon stiffness are redundant. *Unless, of course, you count the time Kasper Asgreen raced with our 585-gram Aethos frame during a stage of the Tour.
DEVILISH PACE, HEAVENLY RIDE: With a huge increase in stiffness-to-weight ratio—a 33% improvement over the SL7—the Tarmac SL8 takes legendary ride quality, aggressive response, and World Championship-proven geometry to the next level. The bike is stiffer on the pedals, more precise on the handlebars, and combines this with a comfortable ride in the saddle that sets a new benchmark for comfort in racing bikes. Thanks to our Rider-First engineering, all cyclists, regardless of size, get the same unprecedented ride quality. In the saddle, the Tarmac SL8 offers 6% more comfort, floating over rough roads with a feeling of comfort unique in the world of competition bikes. The proven geometry of the Tarmac and the wheel clearance of up to 32 mm are identical to those of the SL7, ensuring easy adaptation and the versatility to fit higher-volume tires when needed.
BEYOND GENDER: There can be more difference between two male cyclists than between a man and a woman. Gender alone does not provide enough data to specialize, which means that creating men's or women's bikes is arbitrary and obsolete. All cyclists can reap the next-level benefits of the Tarmac SL8. It's time to move beyond gender.
The S-Works Tarmac SL8 is equipped with only the best components. A complete SRAM RED AXS groupset with power meter—the lightest electronic groupset ever—and Tubeless-ready Roval Rapide CLX II wheels are the perfect complement to the world's fastest frame. All S-Works Tarmac SL8 models come with a Roval Rapide Cockpit to save weight and create the fastest possible Cockpit.
